Button-setting machine



J. KELLY.

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1, I916- RENEWED AUG- 26,1921- 1 398 921 I Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

!. KELLY.

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1, 1915- RENEWED AUG. 26 1921- 1 ,398,027, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

SSSSSSSS HEET 2- J. KELLY.

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 020.1, 1916. RENEWED AUG.26,192I- 1,398,027, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN KELLY, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO KELLY BUTTON MACHINE COM- PANY, IN 0., OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

BUTTON-SETTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Application filed December 1, 1916, Serial No. 134,384. Renewed August 26, 1921. Serial No. 495,717.

To all whom it may concern v Be it known that I, JOHN KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Setting Biz chines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an improvement in button setting machines, and is directed more particularly to an improvement in the button raceway or feeding part of such machines. An additional feature or the inven tion resides in a special means or instrumentalities for operating in conjunction with the operative parts of the machine for holding and centering positively a button in position for receiving the staple wire and for elevating and removing said holding means at the proper interval or time. A further feature of the invention is that of forming an associated part operating in conjunction with the button race, and means for varying the size or" the outlet throat of the hopper mechanism.

It has been recognized heretofore by those acquainted with the button setting machine art that a means which will permit the 1nachine to be operated upon buttons of different sizes without dismantling or changing the machine parts would be highly advantageous, and further that a button raceway having characteristics which enable the op erator to quickly open up the entire raceway for the extraction of buttons or the removing of any obstructing button would be recognized as an important improvement and one possessing material advantages.

The object of the present invention is to provide a button setting machine with a raceway member having the advantageous characteristics above suggested, and one part of a conventional button setting machine.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the raceway and body guard.

Fig. 3 is a detail top plan view of the raceway c'ap and attaching plate, the raceway cap being shown in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, the raceway cap being shown in open position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken through the machine.

In the drawings 1 represents the head of the machine having a cap plate or top 2, below which are positioned the various operative parts of the machine as indicated in my co ending application, Serial No. 54365, tiled ct. 6, 1915.

Projecting upwardly from the cap plate of the head is an inclined raceway 8 having a longitudinally arranged button eye receiving groove at, extending throughout the same from end to end. The lower end of the raceway terminates adjacent the wire feeding opening of the machine, while its upper end is arranged to aline with the discharge throat 5 of the hopper 6. This latter is conveniently constructed as shown in my aforementioned application.

Removably secured to the ends of ribs 7 on the racewaypart is a carrying plate 8, the same being held in position by suitable screws as shown in Fig. 4. This plate 8 has formed on one edge thereof outstanding ears 9 to which there is pivotally secured the raceway cap 10. The cap 10 is provided with laterally extending ears 11 arranged to overlie the ears 9 and through the respective cars is the pintle 12 for pivotally connecting the parts. The free edge part of the cap 10 overhangs the race groove 4, and is conveniently formed with a curved groove on its under side adapted to take over the head of a button as shown in Fig. 5. The plate 10 by virtue of its pivotal connection is adapted to be thrown or moved from its position with its retaining or overhanging part over the button race to a position remote from the race as shown in Fig. 4, thus exposing the raceway so that accumulated buttons may be taken therefrom in the event of it being desired to change the type of button being used in the machine and also in the event of any clogging occurring in the raceway. It is desirable to have the raceway of a size to properly feed the buttons being employed in a manner to prevent their jumping out or tilting, and when buttons of different sizes are to be employed it is necessary to elevate the retaining plate with a view of accommodating these larger size buttons. This adjustment is effected by the instrumentality of aset screw 13 passing through the plate 10 conveniently near its upper end and impinging the upper face of the supporting plate 8. The set screw is provided with a knurled thumb nut 1 1, which is held in its various positions of adjustment against accidental turning by a spring supported tooth member 15, the latter being securedto the edge of the retaining plate 10 with a point engaging the knurled edge of the head part 14. To normally retain the plate 10in its proper position over the button race a spring 16 is employed, the same being mounted on a plunger rod 17 carried by the upper end of the base plate 8. The spring abuts the lower face of the plate 8 at one end and a shoulder on the plunger at the opposite end, while the upper end of the plunger is somewhat reduced in diameter and carries a pivoted looking dog 18, the latter being eccentrically pivoted so that the major part thereof will when in active position overlie the upper face of the retaining plate 10, as shown in Fig. 3. By this means the plate 10 is held yieldingly in position while upon the turning of the dog 18 to the position shown in Fig. 4:, the retaining plate 10 is; free to be swung on its pivots. 19 represents a fiat spring fixedly secured to the top of the plate 10 conveniently near its upper end, the forward end thereof carrying the presser foot 20, and having the operatingextension 21 as shown in my aforementioned application. With a view of operating the presser foot during the operation of the machine a means somewhat similar to that shown in my aforementioned application is illustrated in Fig. 1 with thefollowing modifications A lever 22 is pivoted to the head having an inclined forward edge which engages the lifting rod 23 mounted in the head of the machine, the upper end of the rod engaging normally the projection 21 whereby the spring 19 servesto force the rod 23 back and consequently to tilt the lever 22 into its normal position. The upper deflection of the spring 19 is limited by a suitable headed screw member 19 secured to the retaining plate 10 adjacent its lower end. A suitable stop pin 24 is arranged below the end of the lever 22. Mounted on the operating shaft 1 of the machine is an arm 2 the end of which is positioned to engage the rear end of the lever 22, as the arm moves from its uppermost position to its lower position during the operation of the machine parts. As soon as the arm 2 strikes the trip 22 it will force the pin 23 upward thereby elevating the presser foot 20. 25 designates the small yielding fingers for stopping the buttons when the presser is raised, and difier from the construction shown in my aforementioned application in that they are formed on a relative light spring strip secured below and extending backward the length of the spring plate 19. This method of forming the retaining fingers has been found economical and more effective as it represents a single part structure. The parts 19 and 25 are all carried by the retaining plate 10 so that they are thrown back with the plate, thus releasing all the buttons and opening up the throat of the machine.

The throat of the hopper as indicated at 5 has extended across the top thereof an adjustable cap plate 26, the same consisting of an overhanging and a vertically disposed edge flange having elongated slots 27 therein through which set screws are passed. By raising or lowering the plate 26 the throat of the hopper may be adjusted as to its vertical passage to coincide with the position of the retaining plate 10 of the bottom feed. 90

The broad conception disclosed in the spe- I cial form of presser foot is claimed in my copending application before mentioned, and is therefore not claimed-herein. Other subject matter shown but not claimed in the present application is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 5%365.

From the detail description above given of the various parts and their intended purposes the operation will he readilyunderstood. 1

Having thus described the invention, what Iclaimis: r r

i 1. In a button setting machine, the combinationwith a raceway member, of a guard therefor, means for adjusting said guard relative to the raceway, and means for retaining said guard in itsdiiferentadjusted positions comprising. a spring actuated part capable of swingin movement from an op- 110 erative position overlying the guard to an inoperatlve position at one side thereof.

2. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway, of a movable cap member cooperating with said raceway to 115 guide buttons during their passage through the same, and a carrying plate for the cap detachably secured against one face of the raceway, the cap when in an operative position overlying said plate substantially as de- 120 scribed.

3. In a button setting machine, a raceway,

a cap plate cooperating with the raceway for retaining the buttons in their proper position therein, means for yieldingly holding said cap plate in position, an adjusting device for said cap plate, and a carrying plate for said adjusting device, said yielding means, and said cap plate independent of the raceway.

4. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway part having a button eye groove therein, of an overhanging cap plate part, hinges at the side of the cap plate for permitting the same to be swung laterally from the grooved race way, means for retaining the ca plate in normal position, means for limiting the movement of the cap plate with relation to the raceway, and means for locking said last mentioned means in adjusted position.

5. In a button setting machine, a raceway, a laterally swinging cover for the raceway, and means for retaining the. cover in its 0perative position, said means comprising a spring pressed dog mounted upon one side of the raceway and movable laterally into and out of operative engagement with the cover.

6. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway, of a laterally swing ing part cooperating with the raceway to retain the buttons in the same, means for adjustably securing the said laterally swinging part in position and a locking element for maintaining the adjusting means for the laterally swinging member in its various adjusted positions.

7 In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway, of a presser foot yieldingly supported thereon, a rod arranged to engage the presser foot, a single lever pivotally mounted upon the head of the machine and adapted to engage the lower end of the rod, and a rock arm for actuating the lever.

8. In a button setting machine, the combination of a raceway, of a presser foot yieldingly supported thereon, a rod arranged to engage the presser foot, a single lever pivotally mounted on the head of the machine and adapted to engage the lower end of the rod, actuating means for the lever, and means for limiting the upward movement of the said foot.

9. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway, and a guard therefor, of means for adjusting said guard to vary its position relative to the raceway, and a locking element for holding said adjusting means in its different positions, said locking member comprising a spring tooth cooperating with the adjusting means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN KELLY.

Witnesses:

H. C. LINK, B. CAJmAWAY. 

